LOS ANGELES, Calif., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- DreamWorks studio is mere weeks away from crossing the $1 billion threshold at the U.S. box office, more than a decade after bursting on the scene.
DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation can't officially claim the crown, however, since they are no longer a single entity -- but there's still plenty for founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen to celebrate, Variety reported Thursday.
DreamWorks is virtually assured of crossing the $1 billion mark with the Oct. 4 release of Ben Stiller comedy "The Heartbreak Kid," the trade publication said.
Paramount owns DreamWorks -- DreamWorks Animation is a standalone company -- and officially distributes officially both their pictures.
This year, their films have grossed roughly $980 million at the domestic box office, making up the lion's share of Paramount's receipts and turning Paramount into the market share leader at $1.1 billion, or 18.8 percent.
DreamWorks, founded in 1994, released its first films in 1997. DreamWorks Animation was spun off into a separate company in 2004, while DreamWorks was acquired by Paramount parent Viacom in December 2005.
